Comitale accused of assault in incident while off-duty at little league field

TROY, N.Y. – Embroiled in controversy following an alleged confrontation at a little league field last September in North Greenbush, police officer Dominick Comitale announced his resignation from the Troy Police Department.

According to City of Troy spokesman John Salka, Comitale announced his resignation effective Jan. 2.

This comes a little more than a week after Comitale pleaded not guilty after a Rensselaer County jury handed down an indictment involving two charges. Comitale is accused of misdemeanor assault and harassment.

“We wish Dom the best of luck in the future with whatever plans he has. He’s still a very close personal friend of mine and the PBA will help him out with any which way he goes in the future,” Troy PBA President Nicholas Laviano said of Comitale’s decision to resign.

In a statement to The Record, Comitale’s attorney Bill Roberts offered the following reaction Thursday:

“Officer Comitale tendered his resignation to the City of Troy effective yesterday. The decision to step down was a difficult one, that came after due deliberation with his wife and family. Unfortunately, because of the recent decision by the Office of the District Attorney to have him charged with a misdemeanor that lacks a factual basis under the law, Officer Comitale has lost faith in the justice system that he has dedicated the last 10 years of his life to uphold,” Roberts said reacting to former Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove.

The alleged incident involved an off-duty Comitale, who was accused of grabbing a man by the shirt, trapping him against a car and ramming his badge into his head.

The Collar City has paid out previous settlement fees pertaining to Comitale and prior accusations of excessive force, costing taxpayers $174,000 in the process.